I am new to this list (yesterday), and I am new to old trucks. I'm 16,
and just bought the truck of my dreams, well, I'd rather have a '77 or '78,
but I just got a '79 F-150 4x4. It has a 351M, Hurst 4 speed tranny with
granny (on the floor). It has a 9" rearend, 6" susp lift, 3" body lift, 36"
tires on the rear, and 35" tires on the front. All are on 15" rims. I don't
have any specific questions, I would just like some general advice on
modifying, restoring, and off roading. I know that until I can afford to buy a
matched set of tires, I can't do any 4 wheeling, strictly 2x4 unless I want to
kill my transfer case. Well, I live in Upstate New York, if anyone has any
used rim and oversized (36" or better) tire contacts I'd appreciate some
help...Or any contacts for restoration parts.........

Can anyone tell me if I got a good deal price wise. I think I got a great
deal, but then again I don't know what everything's worth.
I can send pictures if that'll help. (just e-mail)
Ok, there was a problem in the steering, I thought I would have to put in a
steering box, after buying one, I found that someone replaces the soft knuckle
and never cranked down the bold that clamps the steering column to the nipple
of the steering box. I cranked it after I found it, and now the steering
holds. I got the boneyard to take the box I bought back.
the cab floor rotted through in a small patch in the driver's side, and all
the passenger side. I bought a pop riveter and am going to rivet in new floors
this weekend..........any suggestion in material to use? The fenders, cab, and
bed are solid other than that, though the bottom of the bed was replaced
(covered up) with plywood. It doesn't need much body work at all, literally
rot free except a small hole over a frenderwell in the bed. some dents and
scratches, but I'm going to paint it soon. Well, anyway you all probably think
I'm a nutcase, my first post is long and boring - I'm sorry.

I paid 325.00 for it, I had to rent a trailer, and drive 5 hours one way to
get it. I love it, I hope you all can help me out and work me through some
problems that may occur.

It's always been my dream to get an old FORD truck, and work on it all by
myself. I just don't have alot of experience, and don't know what I'm going
alot of the time, so if I sound like I'm lost I probably am.

Can anyone tell me what the front end is supposed to look like ------ I mean
suspension, steering bars (Tirods??) steering stabilizers, shocks,
springs.........I don't know what I'm looking for to see if there are any
problems up under there........

Also I've never owned or even driven a 4x4, can someone tell me how to work
it. I'm sorry, I know I have to lock the hubs, but I don't know what is what
with the shifter, and gears. I know how to drive a standard - it's what I
learned to drive on a Mercury Lynx (Ford Escort)...........so that's not a
problem, but I am lost with the 4x4. Does the front drive shaft always turn
nomatter what - or only if I am in 4x4. I noticed it was turning , hubs were
unlocked and the shifter was there, I don't know if it was in 4WD or not
because I don't know what is where. You know. I'm sorry once again. You don't
have to respond if you don't want to , I am just excited about my truck, and
don't know how to use it, or what to do to fix it.

Just another FORD truck lover,

-Shawn Kelliher
(CCSSportz aol.com)
(Kelliher15 aol.com)
'79 F-150 4x4
You can see my truck under the pictorial of www.fordtrucks.com

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